The Vuelta Ride is over! What’s next after setting a world record?

Wow it is over! I am happy as much as I am sad that it is over. Riding as the first female in history the 3300km Vuelta a España just hours before the professionals did not start three weeks ago. It started one year when organizing hotels, support van, communication with media, getting sponsors, recruiting a voluntary team. The three weeks of riding were the enjoyment part of everything that has been done before.

Altogether it was 3058km, 129 hours of riding, 49337m of elevation gain in 21 stages. That is a daily average of 145km, 6 hours of riding and 2349m of climbing.

I loved every single minute of it. The early mornings at 4:30am waking up, the sunrise at 7:40am, the conversations with new friends, crossing the finish line at 14:00, driving to the next hotel, enjoying the local cuisine and breathing every moment of a rich, intense experience.

What a success!My main mission of this project was to inspire people to go for their own challenge and come out to join for parts of this journey while spreading my message around the globe. With over 200 people riding parts with me and with a coverage of over 50 media outlets around the world, this project has exceeded any expectations.

But it wasn’t easyThis project wouldn’t have been possible without a dedicated team that volunteered their time for the success of this project. Moreover, I am grateful for all the sponsors that believed in the success of this project (doing something “crazy” and seemingly impossible makes it very hard to convince brands to invest; that’s why I am even more appreciative in their trust in me!)

I am writing a bookTo write here about my experiences this email would blow up so I decided to write a book over the winter. More details will be revealed in the next weeks.

Most frequent asked questions answeredWhile I am collecting thoughts for the book, I will be writing blogposts of the most frequent asked questions in the upcoming weeks: How did I prepare for it? How did I recover physically and mentally? What was the toughest, best, easiest, etc moments? What material, products and bike set up did I use? (If you have any particular questions, just send me an email and I will answer your question in an upcoming blog post)

One question I can answer here already: What is next?My next big project will be in Japan next year – adventure style how I like it! I love discovering new places and Japan is one of the countries that are so different in culture, language and terrain while still being cycling friendly that I cant wait to see it. There will be a good story and I promise a great adventure to follow! Stay tuned.

But next year is so far away!!!But if you are like me, you cant wait for next year. That’s why I have already another adventure planned for next month in October. As the first female I will be riding every summit of Andorra in one go. That is about 300km with over 12000m of climbing! That sounds crazy enough to “dare to go for it!”

Thanks to all the amazing people who have made this possible!I want to say thank you to my team: Franky, Anneke, Bea, Doug and David for such a great support in making this project possible.Thanks to Javi, Rafa, Maya, Rupert, Mark and everyone who joined me for parts of this challenge sharing funny stories with me!Thanks to Macario, Shimano, Gobik, Stevens Bikes, Vittoria tires, Pro, Lazer helmets, Cycling Friendly, Named Sport for believing in this project and supporting me!Thanks to the Nordic hotel, Marbella Edificio, Marquis hotel, Perla de la montana, ibis Lleida, Valle del Eria, Hotel Altamira and Hotel Buddha Spa for taking care of my team and me during our stay!

More!!!!Follow me on Instagram and Facebook for all the adventures and updates and share this newsletter with adventure addicts. I can be also booked as motivational speaker for events with special focus on believing in yourself, taking the first daring step, teamwork and a successful mind.

Thank you very much to everyone for being part of this journey! It was an incredible experience!

Get all updates on Instagram!

Join me! Get all details on the Strava club

Featured in:

I am Monika, also known as RAD Monika. I am an adventure cyclist, speaker and mentor.

I was a management consultant for a big IT corporation when I had this strong inner desire to make a change in my life. I wanted to pursue my biggest passion: adventure cycling.

I quit my job and moved with half of my bags to a place where I didn’t know anyone, never been before and didn’t speak the language.

Now, I guide my clients to achieve seemingly unreachable goals that enhance their quality of life while going for my own seemingly unattainable goals.

Why riding the route of the Vuelta?

On 25. August I will be riding every kilometer of one of the toughest professional races in world, the 3300km Vuelta a España, just hours beforehand. Just like the professional cyclists, I will endure the extreme heat in South of Spain, the incredible steep mountains in the North and suffer from the 150km+ days over 21 days. I will be the first woman in history riding every kilometer of The Vuelta a España at the same day as the professionals.

I will set a new record!

I didn’t realize this until recently because I never made this challenge about myself but about inspiring and empowering others to go for their challenge, to go out of their comfort zone and dare to try new things. I am a believer that anything is possible as long as you put your mind to it.

Every person who decides to go for a challenge and dare to go for their goals is a success of The Vuelta Ride. It is such an incredible rewarding feeling to be able to help and be part of their great achievement.

Cycling 1100km from Mallorca to Munich while visiting children hospitals

As preparation, I rode 5 days from Mallorca to Munich – with nothing but a little bag with a T-shirt and shorts. While wearing my Superwoman outfit I visited children hospitals to experience the other side what a big challenge can mean.

What I need your help with

My aim is to raise 20,000 Euro to document this film. The amount will cover the following:

Full-time professional film crew and photographer to follow me on this trip. Travel, accommodation and nutrition for Monika (me) and the cycling crew who will ride part of the challenge.

The documentary is about how anyone can be bold and fearless to go for their goals!